- Pakistan score 438 in their first innings against New Zealand in Karachi.
- Babar Azam scores 161 and Agha Salman scores 103 for the hosts.
- Pakistan recover from 110-4 during 196-run fifth wicket.
PAK vs NZ: Pakistan’s first innings total against New Zealand in the inaugural Test in Karachi on Tuesday was 438.
The home team was led by centuries from Babar Azam (161) and Agha Salman (103)
Salman was the last Pakistani to go out, but not before he had scored his first century in the longest version of the game. After captain Azam was run out in the first over of the second day without adding to his overnight score, he took centre stage.
In his 103 off 155 balls, Salman hit 17 fours. Along with Nauman Ali, who scored seven runs off of 75 balls, he contributed to a critical 54-run seventh-wicket stand.
We make 4️⃣3️⃣8️⃣ in the first innings 🏏
A stunning 1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣ by @SalmanAliAgha1 following heroic knocks by @babarazam258 and @SarfarazA_54 👏#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/Qgnm3VH8dj
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 27, 2022
Salman scored 63 runs for the final two wickets with the tailenders to frustrate the Kiwis.
Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell, and Ajax Patel each took two wickets.
Azam’s hundred and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s half-century helped Pakistan reach 317-5 on the first day.
Pakistan recovered from 110-4 during a 196-run fifth wicket stand, losing only Sarfaraz in the last two sessions.
New Zealand spinners took three early wickets at National Stadium and one before lunch, but Ajaz Patel caught Sarfaraz in the slips for 86.
Azam was undefeated on 161 and Agha Salman had three as the home team attempted to rebound from last week’s 3-0 humiliation by England.
Azam has scored 1,170 runs in nine Tests in 2022.
He exceeded Mohammad Yousuf’s 2006 total of 2,435 in all three formats, scoring 2,584 runs.
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